It’s a food paradise in the Indian Ocean with its own style of both rum and dim sum.
Mauritius might be pocket-sized in size , but it punches above its weight in theisland paradisestakes . This country , located in the Indian Ocean about 1,200 miles off theeastern seacoast of Africa , consists of the main island and several smaller ones , such as the tourer - friendlyRodrigues . Mauritius has been a Dutch , French , and British colony throughout the age , and though it ’s been independent since the ‘ 60s , its cultural landscape is still mark off by a myriad of influences , which also let in Arab , Portuguese , Amerind , Chinese , and Creole .
evidently , there are all the draws that accompany the world ’s warmest sea : lily-white sand , turquoise pee , cocktails , and sunsets that await like they come with a build - in Instagram filter . Nobody has ever complained about Mauritius not being pretty enough . But when you step away from the shake palm tree and sun - soaked beach , even just for a day , it ’s clear that it ’s so much more than just another tropicalgetaway . fall for the unforgettable scenery , sure , but then definitely stay for the immersive fine art installations , fruit wine , anddim sum .
Best places for first timers to visit in Mauritius
For such a pocket-sized island , there ’s a lot of argument about which part of Mauritius has the well coastline , most dependable conditions , secure swim beach , and so on . The truth is , every part of Mauritius has something unique to offer up . It just depends on what your predilection are . Call it cliché if you want , but that does n’t make it any less true .
come out at the top of the island , the northerly coast is home to the hamlet of Grand Baie . It ’s one of the most tourist - friendly arena of Mauritius since it ’s extremely developed with plenty of night life and shopping options . Plus , it ’s one of the hottest and gay regions of the island , even during wintertime . So if you ’re calculate for a beach vacation , the coastline from Pointe aux Piments to Grand Gaube is a groovy choice — specially if you want to get some sunniness in the cooler months between May and July .
Meanwhile , the eastern coast of Mauritius is less highly-developed than other regions but has plenty of beautiful lagoon and white sand beaches . It ’s not as touristy as the north and west coasts , making it a good choice for those who favor a more local experience . Keep in psyche that it can get quite windy there , which is great for either sailing during the winter or ride out nerveless in the summer .
There’s no shortage of places to catch beautiful sunrises and sunsets on the island.|Anton Petrus/Moment/Getty Images
That brings us to westerly Mauritius , which is where you will get the most incredible sunsets . This glide also includes the capital letter metropolis of Port Louis , along with the more lavishness - focused suburb of Balaclava , which is where you ’ll find mint of upscale hotels . If you want the quintessential white beaches and sunny conditions that the island is cognise for , then the west coast is the safest bet . It ’s consider to be one of the most picturesque area of the island while also being fairly developed , so you wo n’t be short of options for shopping , shipping , or places to stick . It ’s also near most of the museum , so it ’s the idealistic spot for travelers who also want to understand the ascendant and story of the land they ’re call .
Where to eat and drink like a local in Mauritius
Mauritanian food is one of the best cuisines you ’ve never heard of . by nature , it ’s seafood - forward . But it certainly is n’t one - dimensional . Chinese traders and merchandiser introduced Cantonese dishes , peculiarly noggin and deep-fried rice . The French , of course , were responsible for for developing Creole cuisine and are to thank for pastries and traditional dishes like bouillon . Indian influences are also very apparent in Mauritanian food — perhaps even more so than French — due to the island being a British colony from the other nineteenth century to its independence in 1968 . After slavery was abolish by the British , indentured Native American laborers arrived to work in the Saccharum officinarum force field . These day , nearly 70 % of the Mauritanian universe is of Amerindic pedigree .
Mahebourg Marketis a scrap of a one - stop shop if you desire to try local street foods without ingest to travel from blank space to place . Make trusted you try the dholl puri ( flatbread with curried rip peas ) and alouda , a refreshing boozing made from algae as well as Amygdalus communis essence and contract Milk River . Do n’t leave to leave room for blank space for boulet — the Mauritian variation of wispy sum .
For a fancy affair , Le Fangourin Restaurantis in an unbelievable setting on a heritage site , surrounded by a hundred - quondam garden . Oh , and there ’s also a giant and gorgeous pool ( because Mauritians sure know how to do beautiful waterscape ) , and a view of the mess . It ’s an upscale restaurant with refined sweetheart like lobster and cocoa parfaits , but which still lionise local nip — think smoked marlin , or fish cooked in a coconut sauce . Plus , the menu commute according to what ’s in season , and features constituent sourced from the nearby farm . What else could you want ?
In the capital of Port Louis, vendors sell fresh produce in open-air markets.|Walter Bibiko/Stone/Getty Images
If you’re able to , squeeze in a sojourn toTakamaka Wine Estate . Mauritius is n’t exactly prime grapeshot - growing territory , thanks to the red-hot and humid climate , but why would that halt anyone ? What it does have an abundance of is lychees , which the enterprising Alexander Oxenham has managed to turn over into locally produce wines , including a astonishingly crisp Sauvignon - flair E. B. White . And while you ’re on the local strong drink train , it would practically be a wickedness not to taste the spirit of option : Mauritianrum , which is distill from topically grown sugarcane and molasses .
Museums, art, and culture in Mauritius
If you obtain yourself starve a side of intellectual arousal with your gorgeous beach sunset , Mauritius has flock on offer in that section as well .
L’Aventure du Sucreis in the same spot as Le Fangourin , so there ’s double the grounds to visit . Once you ’ve eaten your filling at the restaurant , cheat over to check out the museum . It ’s dedicated to the story and grandness of sugar in Mauritius , from its colonial blood line to its New production . Mauritius has a farsighted history of producing simoleons , dating back to the 17th century . Sugar currently accounts for less than 10 % of the state ’s overall export , but it ’s been a defining part of the culture and individuality of the Mauritanian people for a long time .
If you ’re the type that appreciates the originative side of matter , it ’s also worth a visit to theHouse of Digital Art , which is in the essence of a inheritance dominion in St. Louis . This is the first graphics expo of its sort in the Indian Ocean area and is more than just a gallery ; it offers workshop and residency in addition to shining a spotlight on local creators . If you decide to go , set aside about two hours to work your way through the immersive experiences , which encompass very innovative digital , kinetic , and profound installations that are all housed in an eighteenth - century building .
Due to Chinese influence, Mauritius is home to its own version of dim sum.|Coeur de Ville Flacq
Another stoppage worth make in Port Louis is theBlue Penny Museum . Think of it as the Smithsonian of Mauritius , but housed in a pretty colonial construction and boasting a quainter name . It ’s home to two of the rarest and most far-famed stamp in the human beings , which were issue in 1847 by the British dependency of Mauritius and are probably the most valuable objects there today . you could also drop half an hr in The Marine Room , a accumulation of simulation , paintings , and artifacts dedicate to telling the marine history of Mauritius .
While you ’re still in Port Louis , make a stop at theAapravasi Ghat museum . This UNESCO World Heritage Site immortalize the arrival of the first indentured laborers from India to Mauritius , after the abolition of slavery in 1835 . Take a walk through the Immigration Depot , where the laborers were treat and housed before being sent to the sugar plantations . you’re able to also check out the Beekrumsing Ramlallah Interpretation Centre , a accumulation of exhibits that tell the history and impact of the apprenticed labor organisation in Mauritius .
Nature and outdoor experiences in Mauritius
The whole island is protect by a roadblock reef , which makes for really calm swimming and exculpated waters around the shoring . But it also has some of the best diving in the Indian Ocean . you could spot fiddling fish , corals , octopus , and even humpback whales . The island is something of a SCUBA promised land , too , consecrate that there are around 100 file wrecks in the field .
If you ’re more into soil adventure than water supply 1 , Black River Gorges National Parkcovers about 2 % of the island ’s surface . settle in the southwest part of the Mauritius , it ’s a proper tropic paradise with succulent greenish forests , waterfalls , river , as well as great deal of diverse wildlife . That includes everything from monkey to the giant bat - like Mauritian flying fox , which are now an imperil metal money . One can’t - girl land site in the park is the Seven Colored Earth , where sand dunes make a rainbow of people of color from brown to green and purple . The colors are due to the decomposition of volcanic rock and the sport of temperature during the cooling operation .
Mauritius hotels and other great places to stay
Mauritius sure as shooting is n’t short of places to repose your capitulum at dark . In fact , the options can be pretty consuming — there ’s a broad variety of Airbnbs , sumptuousness hotels , and all - inclusive resorts . If you ’re find yourself with determination fatigue , then it ’s tough to go wrong with usingAttitude Hotelsas a jumping - off point .
It ’s home - own and the people there congratulate themselves on offering an experience that ’s more authentic than what ’s on offer at a big chain . It ’s a sustainability - minded hotel group run by locals who have done away with individual - employment charge card and body of work almost alone with small suppliers . Each of Attitude ’s eight holding offer something slightly different .
If you do n’t believeall - inclusive propertiesshould skimp on food , The Ravenala is in all probability going to be one of your top picks , although Lagoon Attitude might get in at a close second . disregarding of what you choose , the Attitude Hotels all offer the " dine around " conception , which means you ’re not limited to buffets or one boring chief restaurant . In fact , their flagship hotel has a staggering 17 bars and restaurants alone . There ’s a poolside Indonesian - Taiwanese fusion eating place with incredible noodles , a snack counter with everything from pastries to paella , a riverbank restaurant found on a Mauritian class home , and an grownup - only Japanese patch right on in the sand , to name but a few .
The House of Digital Art hosts a variety of immersive installations, as well as street art and sound sculptures.|House of Digital Art
If all - inclusive is n’t your vibration , there are batch of other choice — Mauritius has attractive in-migration laws , and as a result , has attracted plenty strange investment in property . Many of these properties are usable as really modernistic and well - equipped holiday rentals , which are with child for big group or longer holidays . It should be said though , that unless you ’re based centrally in Grand Baie or have your own rental railroad car to get to and from restaurants and grocery store , all - inclusive is normally the better selection . After all , what ’s a beach vista without a snack and piña coladas on water faucet ?
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What to know before you go to Mauritius
Best times of year to visit
Before you book that island trip , there are a few thing you ’ll want to take greenback of . Mauritius is a fairly class - round destination , but it does have a tropical climate . And you know what that means : hot , humid , and sometimes showery . December is peak time of year ( peculiarly thanks to South Africans hopping across the ocean for a tropical getaway ) , but the weather is hot and can be wet . So when ’s the best time to go if you ’re hoping for sunlight and blue skies ?
In summer ( November to April ) , the temperature can linger anywhere from 77 to 91 degrees Fahrenheit , but keep in mind that it ’s also very humid ! This is also the rain time of year , and there can be heavy rainstorm from December to February . Often these are short lived — but if ironical weather is a antecedency , it ’s not the expert time of yr for you to visit .
On the opposite end of the seasonal scale of measurement , there ’s wintertime ( May to October ) , during which temperature can drift from 64 to 75 degrees Fahrenheit , but the weather is more often than not dry with blue skies . The east sea-coast can be windy , but the west coast generally offers good wintertime weather .
The colors of this geological feature are caused, in part, by the decomposition of volcanic rock.|Balate Dorin/iStock/Getty Images
As with plenty of tropical destinations , spring ( September to November ) and descend ( March to May ) tender groovy weather and few crowds . If you had to pluck , a large sentence to see is around October and March , when the weather is warm but the risk of rain is jolly dispirited .
Mauritius time zone
One of the rationality Mauritius is so democratic with French and South African tourer is the metre zone . Mauritius Time ( MUT ) is nine hours forward of New York and 12 ahead of California .
The weather and climate
Typically , the temperature float between 68 and 82 degrees Fahrenheit depending on the exact calendar month . The rainfall is also fairly low , and the wind are easy .
Languages
Mauritians generally verbalize very unspoilt English , as it ’s one of the languages spoken in school day and used on government activity cast . French is also take over , and many Mauritians also talk Creole , which has its origins in French .
How to get around
Taxis , buses , and rental cars are common . Most holidaymaker utilize transfer services and taxis to get about . If you want to hire a car , keep in mind that Mauritian drive on the left side of the route .
The currency
Mauritius uses the Mauritian rupee ( MUR ) . As of February 2024 , a US dollar sign exchange for 45.32 MUR . Some tourist place will take US dollars or British Irish pound , but Mauritanian rupees are the preferred currency . Credit and debit card are wide accepted .
International adapters you’ll need
Mauritius has both Type C ( two round pins , like you find in most of Europe ) and Type G power wall socket , which are the three - biramous rectangular unity you ’ll find in the UK . If you ’re coming from the US , contribute a Europlug adaptor .
The Ravenala is one of the many properties owned by the Attitude Hotels group.|Hotels Attitude
Mauritius is known for its beautiful waterscapes—including waterfalls.|Kestreloculus/500px/Getty Images
